Lives of Holy Orthodox Men & Women (37)

A book of reminiscences on the life and sayings of the Elder Paisios (1924-1994), one of the towering figures of Greek Orthodox monasticism in the 20th century. He is considered a candidate for sainthood by many. Orthodox believers and seekers from all about the globe streamed to his little hermitage on the Holy Mountain, i.e., Mount Athos in Greece, the spiritual center of the Orthodox Church. They sought spiritual guidance and prayers from this humble monk who astounded many with his God-given ability to read hearts and prescribe true medicines for the soul. The author, a fellow Athonite monk, has recorded his own memories of Elder Paisios, along with those told him by other acquaintances of the elder. Includes several photos of the elder and the places where he lived.

An inspirational account of one of the twentieth century’s great ascetics and missionary of love. An Orthodox Mother Theresa. The book became a best-seller in Greece by word of mouth. The sections of the book include her biography, transcripts of talks given, sayings or one line gems noted by fellow nuns, and excerpts from letters to spiritual children. She lived in Greece, England, India, and Israel. She had working and spiritual relationships with people of different Christian denominations as well as non-Christians without compromising her own Orthodox faith.

Compiled by friends and family, this book includes biographical information along with Fr. Vasily`s own reflections and writing. One of the three Optina monks martyred at Pascha in 1993, Fr. Vasily illuminates aspects of Orthodox life in post-Soviet Russia, while calling us all to a life of compunction and Paschal joy. An inspiring life, of a contemporary Orthodox struggler for sanctity.

This is the most complete biography of Elder Joseph the Hesychast. The book contains the very personal account of Elder Ephraim telling the life of his Elder Joseph the Hesychast, whose holiness made him one of the most influential monks on the Holy Mountain in the twentieth century. Many of these fascinating stories have never been published before, including delightful anecdotes about Elder Joseph’s brotherhood, moving accounts of his spiritual struggles, insightful spiritual counsels from his deep wisdom, and amazing miracles.

In the words of Tertullian, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” In 2001, another martyr for the Orthodox Christian Faith took his place among that cloud of witnesses: Priest Igor Rozin of Russia’s predominantly Muslim Kabardino-Balkar Republic, located in the northern Caucasus Mountains. An alpine rescuer who saved those lost in the mountains, he was baptized at the age of 36, ordained to the priesthood at 42, and martyred by a Muslim extremist at 44. During his brief life as a pastor, he attained his true calling: the rescue of souls lost in the moral wastelands of modern society. His life was one of total self-sacrifice for the sake of those around him, whether Christian or Muslim.

In Father I saw a person who lived for God…. In all life’s situations, Fr Ilarion maintained a grace-imbued state of spirit, the fruits of which were love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and the other virtues that made it impossible to be near him and not feel glad just to be alive.